
Amazon, has placed an order for more than 200 new Mercedes-Benz eActros 600s. More than 140 eActros units are expected to join Amazon’s UK-based fleet while more than 50 will be deployed in Germany. The vehicles will be working on middle-mile routes moving cargo containers between fulfilment centres, sorting centres and delivery stations.
Some of the eHGVs are being put into operation as part of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme (ZEHID). Around 20 eActros 600s are part of the programme which is supported by funding from the Department of Transport and Innovate UK.
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Business has a crucial role to play in decarbonising our roads, and that’s why it’s fantastic to see Amazon place the UK’s biggest ever order of electric trucks, supported in part by the Government’s £200m ‘Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator’ project. This comes on top of our £2.3 billion to help industry and consumers switch to electric vehicles, supporting jobs, attracting investment and making Britain a clean energy superpower.”
Additional fast charging facilities are expected to be installed at key Amazon locations across the UK. The trucks will have access to 360kW electric charging which will allow the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 to recharge from 20 to 80% in just over an hour. On a full charge, the eHGVs will have a range of up to 310 miles.
Nicola Fyfe, EU VP of Amazon Logistics said: “Decarbonising our transport network is key in helping us achieve our goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040 and today’s announcement is an exciting and major step forward for us in this mission.”
Karin Rådström, chairwoman of the board of management of Daimler Truck, said: “We are very pleased that Amazon, a pioneer in the transformation towards alternative drives, has chosen the eActros 600, a gamechanger for sustainable transportation.”
Stina Fagerman, head of marketing, sales and services Mercedes-Benz Trucks, added: “Amazon is an important customer for us on the path towards CO2-neutral transport. A near-series prototype of the eActros 600 has already been trialed by Amazon, providing valuable insights before the start of series production. We are therefore very pleased about this major order for the eActros 600.”
Andreas Marschner, vice president of worldwide operations sustainability at Amazon, said: “The order of more than 200 eActros 600 underlines our commitment to being a leader in electrifying our transportation network in Europe. It is the biggest electric heavy truck order by Amazon to date anywhere in the world and is an important step as we work to achieve our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040.”